System of control



P. L. MARDIS.

SYSTEM 0F CONTROL.

APPLICATION FILED ocnn, 1918.

1,387,503; Patented Aug. 16, 1921.

Wn uzsszs; INVENTOR glam! jazz/L/Yamzs:

.. B La I ZTTQR NEY l UNITED STATES PAUL L. MARDIS, or swIssvALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 wEs'riNGIIoUsE PATENT OFF E.

ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A 'ConPonATIoN or PENNSYLVANIA.

SYSTEM OF CONTROL.

v Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Au 1e, 1921.

Application filed 0etober'17, 1916. Serial No. 258,539.

' and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Systems of Control, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates tosystems of control and particularly to that type of railwaymotor control whereby selective manual and automatic operation may be efl'ected.

One object of my invention is to provide a system of the above-indicated character wherein control means is provided to independently effect a manual step-by-step operation and full automatic operation of the machine to be governed or for automatically effecting a similar normal operation to any selected step.

In another aspect, the object of my invention is to accomplish thevabove-stated result by the use of a master controller embodying a materially smaller number of progression control conductors than of operative steps or positions ofthe main cirouit-adjustin controller.

More specifically stated, it is one object of my invention to provide, in a system of the class under consideration, a master controller for effecting acceleration of one or more motors step-by-step as the controller occupies successive positions or for automatically effecting a complete normal acceleration when the controller is rapidly actuated through said successive positions to a final position. 7

Viewed from another angle, it is an important object of the present invention to not only provide a system permitting full automatic acceleration under the control of the familiar limit switch, when desired, but

circuits for manipulating the .main ,con troller of Fig. 1-in the desired manner.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawing, the system here shown comprises suitable supply-clrcult conductors respectively marked Trolley and Ground; a plurality of main dynamo-electric machines respectively havin armatures A1, and A2 and series type eld winding F1 andFQ, which may be reversed in the customary manner by suitable reversing switches R81 and RS2 (illustrated in a conventional manner); a

line switch LS for closing the main circuit and embodying a plurality of auxiliary-cir cuit or inter-lock contact members 1 and 2, of a familiar type, for a pur ose to be described in connection with ig. 2; a plurality of variable resistors 3 and 4 for use in e ecting gradual acceleration of the machines; a main controller 5 for varying'the resistors and, in general, for adjusting the main circuits; and a limit switch L, of a familiar type, for effecting full automatic operation of the system under predetermined conditions, as hereinafter'more fully described. 1

The main circuit-adjusting controller 5 is preferably of the familiar drum type and comprises a main-circuit section 6 and an auxiliary circuit or interlocking section 7, the controller, as a unit, being actuated through its successive positions a to h, inclusive, through the agency of an operating mechanism 8.

The mechanism 8 is of a familiar electrically controlled, pneumatically-operated type, comprising a pinion 10 which is rigidly secured to the actuating shaft 11 of the con troller 5 and which meshes with a, rack member 12, the opposite ends of which 'constitute pistons 13 and 14., traveling within suitable operating cylinders 15' and 16, respectively. A normally closed valve member 17 is associated with the outer end of the cylinder 15, while a? normally open valve member 18 communicates with the outer end of the other cylinder 16.] Fluid pres sure from any suitable source is supplied through pipes orpassages 19 and 20 to the respective valve members 17 and18, which are also provided with suitable actuating coils, respectively marked On and Off.

Assuming that the parts of the operating 17 to the cylinder 15 and is exhausted from the cylinder 16, through the closed valve member 18, to the atmosphere. Conse quently, movement of the piston members toward the right and actuation of the controller 5 toward the left, through its successive positions, are eflected.

To arrest such movement at any time, it is merely necessary to deenergize the Off coil, whereby the fluid pressure is again admitted to the cylinder 16 to effect balancedpressure conditions in the operating mechanism, thus insuring positive and reliable stoppage thereof. To return the controller 5 to its normal illustrated position, the two actuating coils are concurrently deenergized, whereupon fluid-pressure conditions in the mechanism 8 revert to the original state, and the desired backward movement of the controller is efiected.

The auxiliary governing system shown in Fig. 2 comprises the actuating coils and auxiliary contact members of the line switch LS, the limit switch L and the controller 5, together with a master controller MC having a plurality of operative positions a to ]i', inclusive, (for manually governing the motor operation), and a final operative position designated as Automatic for effecting the operation that the title indicates; a master reverser MR of a familiar type; a plurality of train-line conductors TL, whereby the present system may be readily adapted for multiple-unit operation; and a suitable source of energy, such as a battery B, for energizing the various actuating coils in accordance with the actuation of the master controller.

Assuming that it is desired to effect manual step-bystep operation of the main controller 5 and, therefore, of the illustrated electric motors, the master controller MR is first'actuated to its forward position, for example, and the master controller MO is then moved to its initial operative position a. A circuit is thereby established from one terminal of the battery B, through conductor 25, train-line conductor 26, conductor 27, control fingers 2S and 29, which are bridged by contact segment 30 of the master controller, conductor 31. train-line conductor 32, conductor 83, contact segment 34 of the master reverser in its forward position, conductor 35, train-line conductor 36, conductor :17, actuating coil For. ot' the main reversing switch, conductor 38, train-line conductors 39, conductor -l0, con.- trol fingers all and 12 which are bridged by contact segment of the master controller, and conductor 4a to ground. the opposite terminal of the battery B being also connected to ground to thus complete the auxiliary energizing circuit. In this way, the

- main reversing switches and RS2,

which are preferably mounted on a drum ot a familiar electrically-controlled type, are actuated to their forward running positions, in case they do not already occupy such positions.

A branch circuit is then completed from conductor 87. through conductor e5. contact member 16 ol the main rcversing switch, in its forward position, conductor l7, actuating coil of the line switch LS. contact member 5/t oi the main controller, in its initial position. and thence, through conductor 38, to the negative battery terminal. A further branch circuit is continued from the conductor all. through conductor 18, actuating coil One? the main controller 5, and interlock 2LS-in as soon as the line switch is closed, to the negative conductor 38. Furthermore. a holding circuiti'or the line switch LS is termed upon the closure there of: by the bridging ot a second interlock 1LS-in across the contact member 5r'/.

The initial main circuit. completed by the closure of the line switch LS, may be traced as 'lollowsritrom the trolley through conductor 100. switch LS, conductor 101, con trol finger 102, contact segment 103, and control finger 10d of the main controller section 0. conductor 105, the entire accelerating resistor 3, control lingers 106 and 107. which are bridged by a second contact segment 9!) ol the master controller, conductor 108. armature A1, field winding F1, conductor 109, the entire accelerating resistor l. suitable, control fingers, which engage athird contact segment 110 of the main controller, conductor 111, actuating coil of the limit switch L. armature A2, field winding F2 and conductor 1.12 to ground.

Referring again to Fig. 2. upon actuation of the master controller to its second operative position 7;, a new circuit is established from the positivcly-energized train-line conductor 32, through conductor 4:9, control fingers 50 and 51, which are bridged by contact segment 52 of? the master controller, conductor 53, train-line conductor 5st, conductor 55, control fingers 56 and 57. which are bridged by contact segment 58 of the auxiliary or interlock section 7 of the main controller, conductor 59, the actuating coil ()fi', andinterlock 2-LS-in to the negative conductor 38.

Since the actuating coils On and Off of the main controller 5 are thus both energized, movement of the controller to its second position b will occur. However, such movement is arrested in this position by reason of the disengagement of controlfinger 56 from the contact segment 58 of the interlock drum 7 thereby deenergizing the oil coil and stopping the controller, in accordance with previously explained principles.

Upon movement of the master controller to its position 0', two new control fingers 60 and 6 1 engage the contact segment 52, circuit being continued from the control finger 60 through conductor 61, train-line conductor 62, conductor 63 and contact segment 58 of the main controller 5 in its position Z), to the off coil, as previously traced, thus causing the main controller to advance one more step, namely, to position 0, wherein the circuit just traced is broken at the interlock drum 7.

Control finger 64 and its attendant circuits are not employed during straight manual operation of the system but are employed for a novel purpose during selective automatic acceleration of the motors independent of the limit switch, as hereinafter more fully set forth. i

In position d of the mastercontroller, a circuit is continued from the contact segment 52, again through control finger 51 and the interlock drum segment 58 to the off coil to cause the main controller to assume its position d. A new control finger 66 is also energized in this position of the master controller but is employed only during selective automatic operation, thus corresponding to the above-described control circuit, including finger 64.

In position 0 of the master controller, fingers 51 and 60 are again energized but only the finger 60 is employed under manual accelerating conditions to again complete thecircuit of the actuating coil Off and to cause the actuation of the main controller to its corresponding position 0.

Referring temporarily to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the previously-described movement of the main controller to position 7) causes the short-circuit of the accelerating resistor 4 by contact segment 110 and that the three sections of the accelerating resistor 3 are successively short-circuited in positions 0, (Z and e by the contact segment 99, thus efiecting acceleration of the motors to the full-series condition corresponding to position e of the main controller and position 6 of the master controller. At this time, the

motor circuit is continued from line switch- LS through conductor 101, control finger 116, contact segment 99, control finger 107, conductor 108, thence through the first motor to conductor 109, and contact segment 110 of the main controller, which serves to directly connect conductors 109 and 111, circuit being thence completed through the second motor to ground, as previously tracer.

To effect the transition fr m series to parallel relation of the electric motors, the master controller actuated to its position f, wherehy control lingers 51, 60 and 64 are ener l being continued from confirst motor to the lower terminal of accelerating resistor l, circuit being completed from the other terminal thereof thii'ough control fingers 117 and 118, which are bridged by another contact segment 119 of the main controller, and conductor 120 to ground. A similar circuit is completed. from the contact segment 99 through control finger 106, two sections of the accelerating resistor 23, doctor 105, control fingers 1041 and 121, which are bridged by contact segment 103, conductors 122 and 111 and thence through the second motor to ground. The two electric motors are thus connected in parallel relation with the accelerating resistors 4i and 3 in. circuit with the armatures A1 and respectively.

By actuating the master controller to its next position o, control. fi= "er-s 51, 60 and 00 are energized, an active cuit being continued from control finger 66 and conductor 0"? to contact segment 58 oi? the interlock drum 4' to cause another forward step oi the main controller, namely, to po ition 5].

7 lo the final manual accelerating position n of the master controller, control a1, 00, and 06 are all energized, an active circuit being continued from control finger 01 through conductors and interlock drum contact segment 58, whereby the main c011- troller 5 is moved to its final position 72 llpo an inspe tion of Fig. 1, it will be observed that, in positions f, and ii of the main controller, the three sections of the accelerating rcsi "or 3 successively shortcircuited, re resistor being employed during the transitional period only, whereas the other accelerating resistor 4i is short-circuited in two steps by the c ntact segment 110. The one main circuit is, therefore, establishedin position 71, of the main con troller, from the line switch Ltd through conductor 101, control fingers 116 and 107, which are bridged contact segniient 99, conductor 108, through the first motor to contact segment 110 and thence, through contact segment 119, to ground. The circuit of the other motor is completed from conductor 101, through control fingers 102 and 121, which are bridged by contact segment 103, conductors 122 and 1.11 and thence, through the motor, to ground, as previously traced.

The above description is complete with respect to the manual step-by-step acceleration oi the motors. It a similar normal operation of the system is desired under full automatic control, with the accompanying well-known advantages, such action may be readily accomplished by rapidly rotating the master controller through the positions 0 to h to its final position marked Automatic. The energizing circuits for the actuating coils of the line switch LS and ot the valve member 17 for the operating mechanism 8 are completed in accordance with the previously traced circuits, but a new circuit for the oiti' coil is established from the 1nastercontrollcr contact segment 52, through control linger 70, conductor '71, train-line conductor 71a, conductor 72, auxiliary cont-act member 73 oi the limit switch L in its lower or normal position, and thence, through the actuating coil Off, to the negative conductor 38. In this way, the main controller 5 is advanced one step whenever the limit switch L drops to its circuit-closing position. Such move ment increases the main motor current sufficiently to cause the limit switch L to rise to its open-circuit position and thus effect the stoppage oi the main controller in the position just reached, until the main motor current against decreases to a degree allowing: the limit switch L to resume its lower circuit-closing position. Since this action is old in the art, no further detailed description of the operation of the main con troller and the limit switch is believed to be necessary. It should be noted, however, that ."full automatic operation is effected entirely independently of the progression control conductors. namely, those connected to fingers 51, 60, 04c and 06 oi the master controller. These conductors, on the other hand. are employed independently of the limit switch in the novel type of selective automatic acceleration that is described below.

In order to insure that the main controller 5 will not stick in any position intermediate the desired control notches, even though the distance between them is considerable, l have shown a spot contact method for eliminating any such possibility. The additional construction involves merely a conductor 68, which is connected to the conductor l8 and terminates in control linger 60, which engages the contact segment 58 of the interlock drum for certain distances intermediate the controller positions only. Consequently, if the main controller should tend to stick in such an intermediate position, the

circuit of the off coil would continue to be eiunigized, irrespective oi? the relative location of the ren'iainin g control lingers with regard to the contact segment 58, and irrespeJtivc oi the position oi? the limit switch L, since the desired circuit is continued from the positivcly-cnergized conductor 68 through control fingers 00 and 57, which are brido'ed by the contact segment 58 in such nediate positions, and conductor to the actuating coil Oil".

in addition to, and iinlepemlently of, the tally automatic action described above, the piesent invention involves the desirable :lca ture of permitting a dili crent type of automatic acceleration to a point corresponding to any selected step of the master controller, and such selective automatic action, moreover, whereby seven main controller steps are employed, cll'ccted by the use of only four progression control cmiductors, namely, those connected with the control fingers 51, 00, (iiand 60, in a manner about to be explained.

One advantage 01 such automatic action, independent ot the limit switch, resides in the possibility of maintaining a desired schedule 01" car operation when traveling in hilly districts, irrespective Gillie tact that the limit switch will stay up because of the heavy current that is drawn. Various scl emes have been proposed to obviate this di iculty, but the present arrangement is much more reliable and satisfactory in general.

Direct initial movement of the master coutrollcr to position Z) will accomplish the same results as those already set forth in connection with the manual control oi the acceleration. Similar direct movement to position in addition to cnor ing the line switch LS and the on coil, effects the energriaation oi control lingers 60 and Gil. 3y reason of the encrgization 0t linger 6-1, the circuit oi? the oll coil is completed through conductor and the contact segment oi the interlock drum until position b is reached, wherein the conductor 05 is no longer active. However, in this position, coiuluctor 63, which is connected to control linger 51., becomes active to rcenergize the off coil and thus eilect movement of the main controller to position c.

l pon direct movement oi the master controller to position (Z, the progression control lingers 51 and 06 are energized, thus effecting the automatic stepby-step movement of the main controller to position (Z through the successive agency of conductors 55, (37, and 55 again, as will be understood from inspection of the interlock drum contact segment in Fig. 2 without further detailed description.

Direct actuation of the master controller to position 0 energizes the progression control fingers 51 and 60, whereby the desired step-by-step movement of the main controller is effected through the medium of the successive utilization of conductors 55 and 63 and a repetition of such use.

If the master controller is moved directly to its initial parallel position f, control fingers 51, and 64 are all energized, whereby actuation of themain, controller to position 6 is accomplished, as just explained, and the final step to position f is effected through the circuit including conductor-65.

Direct rotation of the master controller to position 9 again effects movement of the main controller 5 to position 6 in the manner set forth. above, while the remaining steps to positions 7' and g, respectively, are caused by the active energization of conductor G7 twice in succession. I

Throwing the master controllef directly to its position it energizes all four of the progression control fingers, whereby the main controller is actuated to position 9 in the 'step-by-stepjmanner just described for that position, whilethe final step to position it is accomplished through the agency of conductor 65. I

It will be seen that I have thus provided a control system which may be manually controlled in a step-by-step manner by gradual operation of the master controller through a series of positions,while the normal operation of the system may be made fully automatic by immediately throwing the master controller to a final position. In addition, a different type of automatic operation, entirely independent of the limit switch, to any selected step-is, accomplished by the use of a materially smaller number of progression control conductors than the number of movements of the "main controller. Such a combination of selective, independent manual and automatic control systems has never before been devised, so far as I am aware.

I do not wish tobe restrictedto the specific circuit connections orarrangement of parts herein set forth, as various modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I desire, therefore, -that only such limitations shall be imposedasare indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: l

1. In a system of control, thecombination with a dynamo-electric machine-anda plurality of operating circuits therefor, of single means having one part connected for effecting a manual step-by-step operation of the machine and another part connected for automatically. effecting a similar normal op-' eration g v 2. In a. system of control, the combination with an electric motor and means for adjusting the motor circuits, of single manually-controlled means having one part adapted to effect acceleration of said motor stephy-step and having another part adapted to means for effecting acceleration of said motor s'tep-by-step as said means occupies successive positions or for automatically effecting a normal acceleration when said means is actuated to a different position.

4:. In a system of control, the combination with an electric motor and means for adjusting the motor circuits, of multi-position means for effecting complete acceleration of said motor step-by-step as said means occupies successive positions or for automatically effecting a normal acceleration when said means is rapidly actuated through said successive positions to a final position.

I 5. In a system of control, the combination with an electric motor and means for adjusting the motor circuits, of a master controller for effecting complete acceleration of said motor step-by-step as the controller occupies successive positions or for automatically effecting a complete normal acceleration when the controller is rapidly actuated through said successive positions to a final position. 7

6. In a system ofcontrol, the combination with a dynamo-electric machine and main means for adjusting the machine circuits a aredeterniined number of times to efiect complete machine operation, of auxiliary governing means for said main means embodying a materially smaller number of progression control conductors than saidnumber of times,

7. In a system of control,the combination with a dynamo-electric machine and main means for adjusting the machine circuits a predetermined number of times to effect complete machine operation, of auxiliary governing means for said main means embodying a materially smaller number of progression control conductors than said number of times, and adapted to effect automatic machine operation to any selected point.

8. In a system of control, the combination with a dynamo-electric machine and main means for adjusting the machine circuits .a predetermined number of times to effect complete machine operation, of auxiliary governing means for said main means embodying a materially smaller number of progression control conductors than said number of times and adapted to manually effect stepby-step operation of said main means or to effect automatic machine operation to any selected step.

. 9. In a system of control, the combination with an electric motor and a main circuitadjusting controller having a certain num ber of operative positions, of a limit switch, and a master controller for effecting the actuation oi. the main controller step-by-step or for effecting automatic main-controller operation, independently of said limit switch, to any selected step, said master controller enibodyinga materially smaller number of progression control conductors than said number of positions.

10. In a cm of control. the combinai a dfamo-electric machine and a tion 551.. plurality of onerating circuit therefor. of means for rule t full autoi c operation oil said m A a lurality of circuit conne independei'it ich automatic means 101 eifecting a seautomatic operation to any oi connections.

n a n oi control. the combination with an elec ic motor, of means for effecting" automatic mote. operation to a predetermined point. an-a. means independent of such automa ic means for eilecting automatic operation to another point.

12. In a system of control. the combinm tion with an electric motor and means for adjusting: the motor circuit of a limit switch, conti lling means actn ii in con junction with said limit switch to automatic operation of said circuitn means to a predetermined poin and 1 1 independently of the limit switch to i "re automatic operation to any insti a system of controhthe c mbination with an electric motor and means for adjusting the motor circuits, of a limit switch, controlling means acting in conjunction with said limit switch to effect full and automatic operatic of said circuit-adjusting: means and at indepcnd ntly of the 7 limit switch to eh' ect selective automatic opion to any intermediate operating point.

is. In a system of control. the combina tion with an electric motor l a main-circuit-adjusting controller having: a certain number of opera ire positions, of a limit switch. and a master controller -for effecting the actuatio'" oi the main controller to the linal opera position in conjunction with tie limitswitch or for automatically efiectinn the actua"ion of the main controller to any selected step independently of the limit switch. said master controller embodying a materially smaller number of progression control conductors tor use in said selective automatic acceleration than said number of positions.

l5. In a system o1"- control, the combination with an electric motor, of means for effecting a manual step-b .-'-step operation of the machine. full automatic acceleration thereof. or automatic operation to any selected point independently of the full automatic means.

16. In a system of control, the combination with an electric motor and means for adjusting the motor circuits, of a limit switch, controlling means acting in conjunc' tion with said limit switch to effect full automatic operation of said circuit-adjustin; means and acting independently of the limit switch to effect selective automatic operation to any intermediate operatingpoint. said mntrolling means being also adapted to ell ecta straight manual step-by-step operation of the motor.

1?. In a system of control, the combination with an electric motor and a main-circuit-adjusting controller having a certain number of operative positions, of a limit switch. and a master controller for effecting; the actuation of the main controller to the final operating position in conjunction 'th the limit switch or for automatically el'i ecting the actuation of the main controller to any selected step independently of the imit switch, said master controller embodying a materially smaller number of prorression control conductors tor use in said elective automatic acceleration than said number of positions, or for eileoting a strright manual stcp-by-step operation of the motor.

18. In a system of control, the combination with an electric motor and a main-circiut-adjlistingcontroller having a certain number oi operative positions, of a limit sw ch. and a master controller for effect the actuation of the main controller to nal operating position in conjunction the limit switch or for automatically e1 c-ting 'the actuation of the main controller to any selected step independently of said limit switch at all times and in conunction with position-locating contact members on the main controller.

19. In a system of control, the combination with an electric motor and a maincireuit-adjusting controller having a certain number of operative positions, 01'' a limit switch, and a master controller for effecting the actuation of the main controller to the final operating position in conjunction with the limit switch or for automatically effecting the actuation of the main controller to any selected step in conjunction with position-locating contact members on the main controller, said master controller embodying; a materially smaller number of pro- ,Q'I'QSSlOIl control conductors for use with said contact members than said number of positions.

In testimon whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 25th day of Sept,

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